According to Mashable, Apple’s next-generation Siri will be powered by Google’s Gemini AI in what appears to be a major partnership between the tech giants. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports the upgraded digital assistant will run a custom Gemini model hosted specifically on Apple’s private cloud compute servers. This setup enables Siri to answer more personalized questions by combining on-device data with cloud-powered intelligence. The new architecture is built around three main components: a query planner, knowledge search system, and summarizer. If the reporting holds true, users could see the revamped Siri debut as soon as next spring with the iOS 26.4 update.
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The technical setup is actually pretty clever
Here’s what’s interesting about this approach – Apple isn’t just slapping Gemini onto Siri and calling it a day. They’re running custom Gemini models on their own private cloud infrastructure. That means your data stays within Apple’s ecosystem rather than going directly to Google’s servers. The three-component system suggests they’re breaking down user requests into planning, searching, and summarizing phases. Basically, Siri will figure out what you really want, find the relevant information, then package it up neatly.
But why would Apple partner with Google?
This is the billion-dollar question. Apple has been developing their own AI models for years, but let’s be honest – they’re behind. Google has been running massive language models at scale for much longer. By partnering, Apple gets access to proven technology without having to play catch-up overnight. They’re essentially outsourcing the heavy AI lifting while keeping control over the user experience and data privacy. It’s a smart move, really – why reinvent the wheel when you can license the best one available?
What about privacy though?
This is where it gets tricky. Apple has built its brand around privacy, while Google’s business model is… well, different. The private cloud compute setup is Apple’s answer to this concern. Your personal data theoretically stays within Apple’s walls, even if the AI brain processing it comes from Google. But let’s be real – there will be questions about how this data sharing actually works in practice. Will users be comfortable with this arrangement? That remains to be seen. You can check out Ziff Davis’ terms of use and privacy policy for how different companies handle these matters.
So what should we actually expect?
Don’t expect Siri to suddenly become ChatGPT or Google Assistant. Apple is using Gemini as the engine, but they’re still designing the car. The experience will likely feel very Apple-like – tightly integrated with iOS, focused on practical tasks rather than open-ended conversations. The real test will be whether this hybrid approach can finally make Siri useful for more than setting timers. After years of being the butt of jokes, Siri might finally get the upgrade it desperately needs. Spring 2025 can’t come soon enough for iPhone users tired of asking Siri the same simple question three times.
